by April Scheinoha
Reporter
It has triple the crash rate of other similar intersections. In the future, a roundabout may be constructed at the intersection of Highways 1 and 59 in Thief River Falls.
At a meeting Thursday, Oct. 30, the Thief River Falls City Council and Minnesota Department of Transportation discussed that intersection near Petro Pumper and other transportation plans.
Darren Laesch, planner for MnDOT’s District 2, said the Highways 1 and 59 intersection has been the site of 20 crashes in the last 10 years. Five of those crashes involved injuries. He said the intersection is approaching the number of warrants needed to make changes. He said it’s possible that a roundabout may be constructed at that location.
The groups also discussed plans to improve the Highway 1 corridor from Highway 59 to Kinney Avenue. Laesch noted many accidents have occurred on that stretch of Highway 1. Most involved a vehicle rear-ending another vehicle or a driver turning into the path of another driver.
Laesch and two city officials also pointed to the need for pedestrian access in that area. Edwin Dale Hahn, who serves on the council, indicated that the city is facilitating the construction of housing along First Street West.
Mark Borseth, Thief River Falls community services director, noted that pedestrians may travel along Highway 1 to Falls Stay n Play.
Laesch noted MnDOT hasn’t determined a schedule for Highway 1 corridor improvements. He indicated that it may be two years or 10 years before anything changes. Laesch said funding hasn’t yet been determined.
The groups also discussed plans to realign Greenwood Street near Highway 59. Currently, the two intersections of Greenwood Street don’t line up near the intersections with Highway 59. The city and MnDOT plan to realign the intersections in 2016. Borseth said it’s hoped that a traffic control signal system will be installed at that time.
Laesch replied that MnDOT counted traffic at the intersections this fall to determine whether a traffic control signal system could be installed once the intersections are realigned. The intersections need to meet at least one of 11 warrants in order for such a system to be installed. Laesch said a certain volume of traffic is needed over the course of eight hours. The intersections currently meet that threshold for a five-hour period. He added that MnDOT will continue to monitor the intersections.
Craig Collison, MnDOT district engineer, informed city leaders that the agency is currently studying whether to increase the speed limit on Highway 32. If approved, the speed limit would increase to 60 mph, similar to the recent speed limit increase on Highway 59.